Haemato Biochemical Parameters of Goats Experimentally Infected with Trichophyton Verrucosum

Wisal G Abdalla* and Salim MO

Central veterinary Research Laboratories Khartoum, Sudan

Laboratories Khartoum, P.O. Box 8067(Alamarat), Sudan, Tel: +249912614294; E-

mail: wisalgafar8@gmail.com Keywords: Haematological; Biochemical; Experimental infection; Trichophyton verrucosum

Introduction

Dermatophytosis, also called tinea, ringworm, or superficial fungal infection, is one of the most common skin diseases caused by dermatophytes of the genera Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton, which show great affinity for the skin and its annexes. It is an infectious disease of animals that causes great economic losses [1]. A lesion observed on affected animals was alopecia and/or circumscribed grayish-white, crusty, raised lesions in head, neck and chest area [2]. Severity and spread of dermatophytosis depend on the immune system of the host, the causative agent’s pathogenicity and environmental factors discussed by Dermatophyte infection may range from mild to severe [3, 4]. Significant decrease in haemoglobin content and packed cell volume percentage due to ringworm was reported by Pasa S, et al. [5]. Serum zinc and vitamin A concentrations were found to be significantly lower in calves with dermatophytosis than those of healthy controls [6]. Concentration of zinc and selenium were found to be lower in cows infected with dermatophytes than healthy ones but the differences were not significant [7].

This study was designed to study experimental infection of Nubian goats with different species of Trichophyton locally isolated from camels and to investigate the haematological and biochemical changes occur that may due to the infection.

Results

The sixteen experimentally goats age 9-12 months were successfully infected with T. verrucosum. The lesions observed through the experiment of the infected goats were characterized by circumscribed crusty hairless lesion of 1.5-2 cm in diameter surrounded by a zone of minute vesicles. The lesions increased in size and showed profuse exudation matting the hair together. The exudate dried and the annular lesions became covered with thin flakes of light brown coloured scab, which later became thick and brown in colour. Figure 1, the incubation period was 19-21 days; however, the four control goats group didn’t show any lesions.

Click to enlarge

Discussion

Dermatophytosis is the common name given to diverse superficial infections of the keratinized skin layers and its appendages (hair, feathers and horns). In this study Nubian goats are susceptible to dermatophytosis infection it agree with Khamiev S Kh, who were able to infect Nubian goats with Microsporum canis [13]. The sixteen experimental goats were successfully infected with Trichophyton spp isolated from naturally affected camels. The lesions produced showed a similar pattern of development to those observed in natural field cases. Similar lesions were seen in both male and female goats. No lesions were seen in control goats throughout the experiment. The incubation period in our study was shorter than those reported by Khamiev S Kh and Kumar R, et al. who reported an incubation period of 8-30 days this may be due to different seasons of the experiments [14, 15]. No significant alteration was seen in total red blood cells, the blood indices (MCV, MCH and MCHC) and the packed cell volume in the infected goats this result is in agreement with Anindita D, et al. and disagreement with Nisbet C, et al. who found significantly low PCV [16, 17]. None of the infected goats showed anaemia so no significant difference was observed in haemoglobin our findings in agreement with Anindita D, et al. Karapehlivan M, et al. although it is disagreed with Nisbet C, et al. who reported that infected sheep with T.mentagrophytes had anaemia due to significantly low haemoglobin Significant reduction of white blood cells in the infected goats this result is in agreement with Anindita D, et al. who reported significant reduction in total erythrocyte count, total leukocyte count and the percentage of neutrophils in calves with dermatophytosis, also Nisbet C, et al. found significant reduction in total erythrocyte count while Karapehlivan M, et al. reported no significant alteration in total erythrocyte count [16, 17, 18].

No significant alteration was observed in total serum protein, albumin, globulin, urea, creatinine, potassium and sodium the same result was found by other authors [17]. Significant alteration in uric acid levels this result in accordance with Karapehlivan M, et al. who reported that uric acid was 5.95 ± 0.73 in calves infected with dermatophytosis and 8.93 ± 0.69 in the control [18]. Uric acid is an antioxidant molecule, like serum albumin and bilirubin. It is normally present in all tissue compartments and changes in its level may suggest pathology.

Conclusion

The present investigation showed the ability of Nubian goats to experimental infection with Trichophyton verrucosum. Some haematological and biochemical parameters showed significant changes during the study.